Police have released a CCTV image of a woman talking Catalina Covaci at Piccadilly train station after she went missing with her baby son Ricardo.

Police have released a CCTV image in an attempt to trace a commuter who was seen speaking to a missing mum with her baby at Piccadilly Train Station.

Officers looking for missing Catalina Covaci and her baby son Ricardo have released the image in the hope that the woman contacts them as she is now the last known person to have spoken to the mum on the day she went missing.

The woman was wearing a black jacket, a black hat and carrying several black bags and was seen talking to Catalina at the station at around 1.40pm on the afternoon of December 19.

Catalina, who is originally from Romania and has resided in Cumbria for the last year and a half, went missing before Christmas.

On Wednesday December 19 she left her Penrith home after telling her guardians she was taking her routine walk into Penrith town centre with her son.

But police have established that she boarded a train at Penrith Station and travelled to Manchester Piccadilly. She hasn’t been seen since.

Catalina is described as having very long straight hair which is often worn in a bun. She is of a medium-heavy build and has a dark complexion.

Catalina has strong links with various Romanian and travelling communities.

Last week, police officers turned to international colleagues to help them widen their search as enquiries extended into France. Interpol are assisting Cumbria Constabulary by beginning international enquiries.

Police officers are using #helpfindcatalina on Twitter in a bid to reach a wider audience in the hope that the online community will spread the word and come forward with information.

Detective Inspector Furzana Nazir who is coordinating the search said: “We have been conducting extensive searches and enquiries to trace 15-yr-old Catalina and her six month year old son, Ricardo, who have almost been missing for a month.

“CCTV investigation has revealed that Catalina spoke to a woman when she arrived in Manchester Piccadilly train station on the afternoon she went missing.

"It is incredibly important that we trace this witness to find out what Catalina said, whether she asked for help or whether she indicated where she may be going.

“We are into the fourth week of her disappearance and concerns are mounting. Her family in Penrith are distressed and we need to ensure that we locate them both – quickly. "

DI Nazir added: “Please, if you were travelling through Manchester Piccadilly on Wednesday 19 December 2012, take a look at this image and see if it was you.

"Were you travelling home for Christmas? Did you see or speak to a young mum pushing a black pushchair through the station around lunchtime? If you did, please get in touch."

"Even the smallest detail may help."

Anyone who thinks they have information about Catalina and Ricardo’s movements or current whereabouts are urged to contact Cumbria police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.